Apple's iMac was the second best-selling PC in the US in August, according to market research firm PC Data. And the signs are its Wintel rivals are beginning to take it more seriously. The top-selling system, based on a survey of catalog sales operations and retailers, showed Hewlett-Packard's Pavilion 6330 account for 8.6 per cent of all systems sold -- the iMac accounted for 7.1 per cent. According to a PC Data spokesman, that's the highest figure -- by a large margin -- a MacOS machine has had in the two years the company has been tracking consumer PC sales. The research shows that while Compaq is still ahead of its rivals, with a 30.9 per cent share, HP moved up number two (23.2 per cent) and Apple shot ahead to the number three slot (13.5 per cent). IBM came in at four with 10.5 per cent. PC Data's figures confirm the boost the iMac has given to the once ailing Apple's fortunes. Recent research by IDC showed (see Worldwide PC sales show strong growth) Apple beginning to catch up the market share it has lost in the past, and the company predicted even stronger sales for the iMac in Q3. The IDC research also highlighted Dell's increased market strength, and Dell appears to be particularly concerned with the success of the iMac. According to information leaked to Mac news site MacOS Rumors, allegedly from a Dell staffer, the doyen of direct sales is telling its sales staff to "provide quotes, anti-Apple marketing information [our italics], pro-Dell marketing information, and approval for Premier Page and Scholarship fund". Not Gateway, not Packard Bell NEC, not HP, not IBM but Apple would seem to be Public Enemy Number One at Dell. ®